Trial of former police bosses in Joshua Waiganjo case postponed
Joshua Waiganjo at a Nyeri court on October 4, 2013. The court has accused probation officers of being the stumbling block in the sentencing of Joshua Waiganjo. FILE PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI |
What you need to know:
- Lawyers agreed to a new date saying they needed time to understand the bundles that will form part of the prosecution evidence
- Mr Waiganjo came into the limelight after accompanying senior policemen to Baragoi in Samburu County early this year
The trial of two former police bosses accused of recruiting an imposter has been postponed to March 2014.
Mr John M'Mbijiwe, a former Rift Valley PPO and Michael Remi Ngugi formerly of the anti-stock theft unit were in court alongside Mr Joshua Waiganjo on Monday to face charges over their roles in the police impostor saga but the case would not proceed “as certain crucial documents were yet to be supplied to the defence team.” (READ: Waiganjo to be charged alongside police bosses)
The defence wanted the prosecution barred from using the documents but the request was overruled.
After consultations, lawyers agreed to a new date saying they needed time to understand the bundles that will form part of the prosecution evidence.
Mr M'Mbijiwe and Mr Ngugi have denied abuse of office charges following investigations into how Mr Waiganjo masqueraded as a senior police officer for years without detection.
Mr M'Mbijiwe is alleged to have ordered a “personal” file opened in Mr Waiganjo’s name to pass him off as a police reservist.
He also allegedly allowed him to ride in a police helicopter during a sensitive security visit to Baragoi.
The former PPO is also accused of ordering two vehicles that were impounded at a police station released to Mr Waiganjo “with the full knowledge that he was not the rightful owner.”
Mr Ngugi is accused of allowing Mr Waiganjo unlimited access and use of police vehicles in addition to allocating him a personal police driver identified as Corporal Joel Mopel.
The pair are each out on a Sh2 million bond. Mr Waiganjo is serving a sentence in a separate case of impersonation. (READ: ‘Fake’ policeman jailed for 2 years)
PRESIDED OVER CEREMONY
The case will be heard for four days from March 17, 2014.Sixty witnesses expected to testify.
In the case, Mr Waiganjo is accused of falsely presenting himself as a senior police officer and presiding over a graduation ceremony by inspecting a guard of honour mounted by forest guards on September 14, 2012, at the Kenya Forestry College in Londiani.
A further charge stated that he arrested four employees of Njoro Rhino Safari Hotel and Farmers Inn Hotel while assuming the duties of a gazetted officer.
Mr Waiganjo came into the limelight after accompanying senior policemen to Baragoi in Samburu County early this year.
In January, he was charged with impersonating the Nakuru deputy provincial police boss.
Mr Waiganjo was arrested on New Year’s eve. A commission was set up to investigate him and after several hearings recommended the prosecution of the former police bosses.
